Presiding Bishopric

The first bishop in the restored Church was Edward Partridge, who was called to serve on February 4, 1831. A few of the early responsibilities given to Bishop Partridge included helping provide food, clothing, and shelter for the members of the Church in need. The Prophet Joseph Smith soon received revelations to expand the duties of the bishop (Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–35; 58:17–18). When members of the Church began to settle in Missouri, Edward Partridge was called by the prophet to move and become bishop of the Missouri Saints. Newel K. Whitney was called as the second bishop for the Saints who had stayed behind in Ohio.

The concept and title of Presiding Bishop—the highest leadership position within the Aaronic Priesthood—was not established until 1847, when Newel K. Whitney was appointed to the position. Today, the Presiding Bishopric oversees several temporal matters of the Church: tithing; fast offerings; the recording, disbursement, and management of funds; and the welfare program of the Church.

Online Resources

Presiding Bishopric Home Page

This is an official Church web page about the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. It provides a brief description of the organization of the Presiding Bishopric and links to biographies of its current members.

“Presiding Bishopric,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism

This entry contains information about the organization and responsibilities of the Presiding Bishopric. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism contains information about the Church and its history, beliefs, doctrine, and procedures.

Ensign Articles

Keith B. McMullin, “The Presiding Bishopric,” Ensign, July 2005, 46–48

Dean Jessee, “‘Steadfastness and Patient Endurance’: The Legacy of Edward Partridge,” Ensign, June 1979, 40–47

Church History Library Online Resources (Available digitally through the Church History Catalog)

Presiding Bishopric bishops meeting minutes, 1851–1884 (CR 4 2)

Record of meetings with ward bishoprics and other ward and stake leaders during Edward Hunter’s service as Presiding Bishop.

Presiding Bishops’ records, 1851–1909 (LR 9629 21)

Consists of tithing and financial records from early Utah. Also includes letters from the Presiding Bishop of the time, Edward Hunter.

Presiding Bishopric bishop’s quorum minutes, 1841–1851 (CR 4 122)

Meeting minutes that span from the Nauvoo era of the Church to the early Salt Lake City era.

Minutes of the Aaronic Priesthood convention held in the Assembly Hall (M251.4 P933mi 1930-1937)

Contains the minutes for Aaronic Priesthood conventions that span from April 1930 to October 1937.

Presiding Bishops (PH 2592)

Individual portraits of the first four Presiding Bishops: Edward Partridge, Newel K. Whitney, Edward Hunter, and William B. Preston. Available digitally through the Church History Library Catalog.

Edward Partridge papers, 1818–1839 (MS 892)

Diaries, letters, certificates, memorials, and other documents that reflect Partridge’s early Church activities. Available digitally through the Church History Library Catalog.

William B. Preston Papers, 1883–1895 (MS 32749)

This collection consists mostly of correspondence between Bishop Preston and leaders of the Church (such as Wilford Woodruff and Erastus Snow). Available digitally through the Church History Library Catalog.

Church History Library Textual Resources (Available at the Church History Library)

Presiding Bishops / compiled by Michael K. Winder (M251.218 P933 2003)

An index to bibliographical sources about Presiding Bishops compiled by Michael K. Winder. Available at the Church History Library.

Newel K. Whitney papers, 1817–1910 (MS 17390)

Collection of personal papers of Newel K. Whitney, mostly from when he lived in Nauvoo, Illinois. This collection is available upon request at the Church History Library.

Edward Hunter collection (M201 B855 no. 49 1988)

Collection of documents compiled by David J. Whittaker. This collection is available upon request at the Church History Library.